Ex-leader Accused Of Fraud

U.S. & LATIN AMERICA - Latin America & Caribbean - In Brief

April 5, 2002

MANAGUA, Nicaragua -- For the first time, Nicaragua's attorney general Thursday formally accused ex-President Arnoldo Aleman of defrauding the state. The top prosecutor alleged Aleman directed an operation to siphon $1.5 million out of the state-owned television channel through false contracts, in collaboration with seven former government officials, the former Mexican ambassador to Nicaragua, and others. The case against Aleman is spearheaded by president Enrique Bolanos who took office in January and pledged to investigate fraud.